2018 Pinot Noir

Right after the last report at the end of July, the general weather pattern changed into what I would describe as typical for late August and September. It cooled off a little, but mostly it just clouded up with a constant threat of rain, and then stayed that way. We missed the heavy rains that hit southern PA (one vineyard there reported 13″ of rain in three days–yikes!) and the Finger Lakes, but the reduced sunlight and higher humidity are still factors that are affecting us.

I’m happy to report, though, that our growers are on top of things, and are keeping the vineyards as free from disease as is possible. A big concern now is weed control. July’s dry spell kept them pretty much in check, but once the rain came more frequently, weeds started growing like gangbusters. The problem with this is that weeds growing under the vine interrupt airflow in the vineyard, keeping moisture longer in the canopy and on the fruit. This, in turn, provides opportunity for mold and mildew growth which not only affects the condition of the fruit, but also the vine’s ability to ripen the crop if the leaves are damaged. Despite all of this, mold and mildew are generally under control and we’re still looking at a good harvest. We are on time, if not a little bit ahead of schedule.

2018 Cab Franc

Speaking of timing, some of the early varieties are now in veraison. This is the point in fruit development where color develops in red varieties, the berries have attained their full size, and the focus of vine activity shifts from growing shoots and leaves to ripening fruit and hardening off the shoots for winter. In the first photo to the left you can see Pinot Noir – which ripens at the end of September – in the beginning of veraison. Notice the variation in color of the berries. The second photo is of Cabernet Franc, which doesn’t ripen until the end of October. These berries are all still green in color as they are a few weeks away from veraison. For reference, both of these photos were taken on Aug 17.

The period between veraison and harvest is particularly crucial to fruit quality–excess rain and clouds, and/or too little heat and sun will interfere with ripening (accumulation of sugar, degradation of malic acid, and development of aromatic compounds), and have a more profound effect on the wine produced than conditions pre-veraison. So we’ll be crossing our fingers, watching the weather closely, and we will be visiting the vineyards more as we get closer to the actual days of harvest. We hope for lots of warm sunny days in the next few weeks, with just enough rain every now and then to keep the vines happy and healthy. If we get nature’s co-operation on that front, we will be looking at a really nice harvest.

Bob Green
PIWC Executive Winemaker